Walking block



MayZO, 194 R. M. FULWILER WALKING BLOCK Filed May 5, 1939 any .E flllfllllfll'f/llflll I I l r/fl'llillilll'll l/ll Patented May 29, 1%41 T F EQE 1 Claim.

My invention has for its object to provide a simple, economically constructed toy walking block, or stilt.

The specific object of my invention is to provide such a block with a yoke pivoted to ears thereof whereby the operator can readily hold the yoke against the foot in a walking movement.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth in connection with the accompanying drawing and subsequently claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a specific View of a toy embodying a walking block or stilt;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the same, the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an other cross sectional view of the same, the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of another form of the toy walking block; and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a block showing the application to the foot and leg of an operator.

Referring by characters to the drawing, l-I indicates sides of a rectangular box having a top 2 and a bottom 3 attached thereto, together with front and rear panels 1-4, it being understood that the said panels and also the side panels may be provided with a plurality of vent apertures 5. The front and rear panels are also provided with alined supports 55 for the insertion and manipulation of an electric light tube 6. This tube is adjusted through the ports 5' into a clip 1 confined to the top wall 2. It is understood that the tube 6 may be adjusted in or out with relation to the clipand manipulated by a head 6', whereby the light is turned on or ofi' selectively.

The bottom wall 3 carries a group of bells 8 which are held by a spider 9 fitted into the bottom wall. While I have shown the bells rigidly secured in a group, it is understood that in some instances they may be loosely assembled within the cavity of the stilt block.

The upper wall 2 is provided with a rubber gripping face [0 and the lower wall 3 is also provided with a yieldable rubber gripping face I I.

As indicated, the side Walls l-l are provided with ears 12 which project above the top wall 2 and the same are provided with apertures I3.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawing, the apertured, upstanding ears,

which form extensions of said block, not only serve as mountings for the yoke, but also as rigid jaws. The shoe of the user is held against lateral play, but at the same time, said shoe is not rigidly bound to the block; thus, by simply inserting the shoe between the block extensions, the user can readily manipulate the device, or dismount from it.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing the apertures are fitted with links I4 having coil springs l5 extending upwardly therefrom. These coil springs in turn are connected by a link to a flexible strap yoke I6 which is adjustable with relation to its length and the upper reach of the yoke is adapted to being gripped by the operator of the block, whereby said block, as best shown in Figure 5, is held rigidly with reference to the shoe sole of the operator or player when steps are taken in manipulating the walking blocks.

The yoke may be provided with bells A as shown, which bells in conjunction with the bells contained in the hollow blocks will signal with each step of the player, and when it is desired, the electrical light tube is manipulated to throw rays of light forwardly of the player.

As best shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, the top wall 2' of the block is formed with upstanding apertured side ears i2 and the bottom or tread wall 3 is an independent element with relation to the top wall. As shown, the bottom and top wall in this exemplification of my invention are connected by a coil spring ll, whereby the tread is rendered yieldable in a walking operation.

Referring to the hollow block and illuminating elements, as shown by the drawing, the light tube may be adjusted to diffuse its rays within the block, giving a jack-o-lantern effect through the block openings, which may be cut in Various designs. Briefly, the bulb is adjusted back and forth in its clip for accomplishing the desired result.

While I have shown a coil spring to facilitate the yieldable connection, it is understood that a rubber band may be substituted therefor, and it is also understood that rubber yieldable bands may be substituted for the coil spring l5 of the yoke.

The yoke, as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, comprises a pair of parallel rods l6 terminating with bottom loops for engagement with the apertured ears l2 and the upper ends of the rods are in telescopic or adjustable connection with a tubular yoke element l1, whereby the yoke may be adjusted as to lengthand held in adjusted position by set screws l8.

end would serve as a guide or stirrup for the foot.

I claim:

A toy walking stilt comprising, a rectangular, hollow block having opposite side walls extending upwardly from the top of the block to form shoe guides, said guides being provided with apertures, coil spring sections mounted in the ear apertures, and a yoke connecting the coil springs for maintaining the block in contact with the shoe of the 10 operator.

RONALD M. FULWILER. 

